The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has paraded suspected kidnappers, logistics suppliers, and a man accused of holding his sister in chains for over two years. Commissioner of Police Mohammed Sanusi announced the breakthroughs during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Abuja.
Anti-Kidnapping Operations Yield Results
Sanusi stated that the successes were achieved through coordinated intelligence gathering and cooperation from FCT residents. He detailed a follow-up operation on June 11, 2026, in the Paze–Byazhin area, where four suspects—Yahaya Abdullahi, Muhammed Yunusa, Hauwa Shafiu, and Shamsudeen Mustapha—were arrested. The operation came after an earlier rescue mission on June 9, 2026.
Preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were part of a criminal network involved in kidnapping and banditry within and around the FCT. The group had infiltrated local communities to gather intelligence and coordinate repeated attacks.
Logistics Supplier Arrested
One suspect, Hauwa Shafiu, who acted as a logistics supplier and cook for the gang and their hostages, was heavily pregnant at the time of arrest. She later delivered a healthy baby while in police custody, and both mother and child received adequate medical attention.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects included four motorcycles, tramadol tablets, ₦320,000 cash, five phones, a POS machine, and cooking utensils.
Woman Rescued from Brother's Captivity
On June 12, 2026, the Command received a distress report that a 36-year-old woman, Ms Grace Aniekuoku, from Anambra State, had been held captive under chains in a room by her brother, Mr Chinedu Aniekuoku, for over one year and four months. Police officers from Katambe Division were deployed and arrested the suspect after he resisted.
The victim was discovered in chains, extremely emaciated, and in her own waste under poor sanitary conditions. She was rushed to a hospital for medical care.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had allegedly abducted his sister's son two years ago and kept her confined to prevent her from inquiring about the child's whereabouts. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the missing child, and the suspect will be charged to court after investigations conclude.
Community Cooperation Vital
Sanusi commended FCT residents for providing timely information, describing community cooperation as critical to police operations. He urged the public to continue supporting security agencies, stressing that the fight against crime remains a collective responsibility.
